Sofa-bed.



W. l. KELLY.

SOFA BED.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12| 1915.

Patented July 2,1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.'

W. J. KELLY.

SOFA BED.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I2. |915.

1 ,270,839. A Patented July 2, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. I. KELLY.

SOFA BED.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I2 I9l5.

1 ,270,839. Patented July 2, 191s.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. l. KELLY.

SOFA BED.

APPLICATION FILED MAY l2. I9l5.

W. I. KELLY.

SOFA BED.

APPLICATION FILED MAY l2\ |9l5.

l ,270,839. Patented July 2,1918` 5 SHEETS-SHEEI 5.

fra/27%? o 1., "qw/Q WILLIAM J'. KELLY, 0F CLINTON, IOWA.

SOFA-BED.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1918.

Application led May 12, 1915. Serial No. 27,550.

fof Iowa, have invented a new and useful,

Improvement in Sofa-Beds, of which the following isa specification.

My objects, generally stated, are to provide improvements in structures of this type to the end of causing the structure to be compact, readily convertible from sofa-forming condition to bed-forming condition, and vice versa; the sectional parts which are unfolded in the bed-forming condition and folded in the sofa-forming condition, to be securely automatically locked 'as the said parts. are successively folded 4one upon the other, `and the parts thus folded swing into the space provided for receiving them, in the back of the structure, and generally to provide improvements whereby structures of this type will be better adapted to perform their functions and be rendered highly desirable. j

Referring to the accompanying draw- Figure 1 is a View in end elevation of a sofa-bed constructed in accordance with my invention, one end of the sofa-bed being removed, this view being taken at the line 1 on Fig. 6 and viewed in the direction of the arrow and showing the parts of the struc- `ture in unfolded or extended position for mattress section, Figs. 2 and 3 illustrating positions occupied by the movable parts of the structure in the operations of converting the sofafbed from bed-forming condition into sofa-forming condition, and vice versa, Fig. 4 is a View likeFig. 1, showing the parts of the structure in the position they assume when in sofa formingV condition.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a portion of the releasing means for the 'locks which releasably lock the mattress-sections in position in` the back of the sofa-bed when the lat-ter is in sofa-forming condition, this section being taken at the irregular line 5 on Fig.'7 and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the sofa-bed showing it in the condition represented in Fig. 1, certain portions thereof being broken away. Fi 7 is a view in rear elevation of the so a-bed showing it in the position represented in Fig. 4, portions of the back-board of the sofa being broken away to disclose interior details. Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking mechanism at one end of the sofa-bed showing the connection thereof with the metal corner brace for uniting certain of the frame members of the sofa-bed, and illustrating the upper end of the folded mattress-sections, carrying the parts which coperate with the said locking mechanism. Fig. 9 is a View in side elevation of the adjacent ends of the Outer mattresssection and the intermediate mattresssection folded upon each other' as shown in Fig. 2, and illustrating the locking means therefor; and Fig. 10, an enlarged section taken at the line 10 on Fig. 7 and viewed in the direction of the arrow, this view showing the manner of adjusting the counterbalancing spring mechanism for the pivotally supported mattress-sections.

The frame of the sofa-bed construction illustrated is formed of end members 11, connected together through the medium of an upholstered seat-section 12, bolted or otherwise secured to the end members 11, the ends of the seat-section 12 being provided with cleats 13, which bear against the end-members, and serve to provide spaces 14 between the end members 11 and the seatsection 12. The end members 11 are connected together at their upper ends by a top rail 15, which is set into the space between these end members and is secured thereto at its opposite ends by angle-brackets 16. These angle-brackets are each preferably formed of an upright metal plate 17, adapted to be secured, as through the medium of screws passing through openings 18, against the inner faces of the end members 11 at the upper portions of the latter; and an angle-shaped plate 19, the vertical section 20 of which fits fiatwise against the plate 17 and is releasably secured thereto through the medium of machine screws 21, carried by the plate 17 and passing through elongated slots 22 in the plate-section 19, and

.provided at their projecting threaded ends soV tures 25 in the sections 24.

The upholstered back of the sofa-bed is illustrated at 26 and extends within the ends 11 of the structure and is connected with the movable parts thereof, as hereinafter described.

As is usual in constructions of this general type, the mattress is formed in sections foldable relative to each other to permit the mattress to be housed within the confines of the sofa-bed when in sofa-forming condition. In the construction illustrated, these parts are foldable into the back portion of the sofa-bed and are concealed by the back 26 which moves, upon converting the structure from a bed into a sofa, into a position for covering the mattress-sections, the mattress which extends longitudinally of the sofa-bed structure and in such position that when the in the preferred construction illustrated being formed of three sections, each of a length slightly less than the length of the sofaback 26. The frame of the woven wire mattress is formed of five relatively movable sections 27 28, 29, 30 and 31, the sections 27 and 31 each having a side rail 32 and end rails 33 connected together. The sections 28, 29 and 30 are formed of pairs of parallel rails 34, 35 and 36, respectively, the sections 28 and 30 being mere connecting links. The rails 33, 34, 35 and 36 at each side of the mattress are pivotally connected together at their adjacent ends as indicated at 37. The rails 32 to 36, inclusive, thus form a pivotally jointed rectangular frame over which the wire fabric 38 is stretched in accordance with common practice, this wire fabric extending continuously from end to end of the sectional mattress-frame thus provided. Connected at its opposite ends with the rails 34 is a U-shaped truss-bar 39,

mattress-sections are unfolded to bed-forming condition, it will extend downwardly beyond the forward edge of the seat-portion 12. A similar truss-bar'40 is connected at lits opposite ends to the rails 36 to extend back 26, which is pivotally connected therewith at lugs 42 at the ends of the back, by pivot pins 43 passing through the outer ends of the arms of the brackets 41 and the lugs 42.

The bed-forming portion of the sofa-bed is carried byV levers 44 which are located in the spaces 14 at the opposite ends of the sofa-bed and are pivoted, as indicated at 45, to the ends of the frame of the seat-section 12, the rear ends of these levers bein rigidly connected to the mattress-section 2 at the rails 33 thereof, as indicated at 46, and the forward ends of these levers being provided with angularlydisposed extensions 47, connected with coiled springs 48,

these springs being connected with chains 49, slidable through openings 50 in brackets 51 secured to the inner surfaces of the end members 11, Cotter-pins 52 bein passed through a loop of each of the chams 49 at the rear sides of the brackets 51.

The normal position of thel parts of the sofa-bed, namely, when in sofa-forming condition, is represented in Figs. 4 and wherein the mattress-sections 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, are folded into the position therein illustrat'ed, with the brackets 41 extending upwardly into the back of the sofa-bed behind the back 26 thereof, the latter concealing themattress as will be readily understood from the drawings. When it is desired to convert .the sofa-bed from a sofa into a bed, the operator first releases the locking mechanism hereinafter described, for holding the mattress-sections in folded condition in the .back portion of the structure, which in the preferred arrangement of the parts permits the foldable ortions of the lstructure to swing outward springs 48, the operator thereupon grasping the upper edge of the back 26 and pulling it forwardly, which causes the mattress-sections and back 26 to swing upwardly and forwardly at the pivots 45, it being preferred that the operator in this operation also grasp the lower edge of thev back 26 and swing it forwardly on the pivots 43, to cause it to clear` the upholstery of the seat 9, where it would otherwise rub the latter. The operator continues to swing the mattress sections on the pivots 45 until the levers 44 engage the rear ones of the cleats 13, which operate as stops for the levers, in which position of the levers, the folded mattress-sections will extend substantially horizontally, as represented in Fig. 3. The operator thereupon releases the locking mechanism hereinafter described, which holdsthe' mattresssections in the folded position shown in Fig. 3, and thereupon swings the four mattress-sections 28, 29, 30 and 31 upwardly and ly under the action of the 26, in this operation, swinging downwardly until it rests upon the Hoor in which position it serves as a support for the mattress-sections at this point.

i In this last referred to operation, the legs 52 connected together by a bar 53, and pivotall connected at their upper ends as indicate at 56, with links 57 pivotally connected at 58 to the rails 28, as illustrated, and intermediate their ends to brackets 55 on the rails 35, as indicated at 54, are automatically thrown outwardly to a position in which they rest at their lower ends upon the floor (Figs. l and 2), and thus serve as a support for the mattress-sections at this point.

The operator after the operation described, rst releases the mechanism hereinafter' described, for releasably holding the mattresssections 29, 30 and 31 in folded condition and by grasping the end-rail 33 of the mattress-section 31, swings the latter upwardly and outwardly to a position in which the sections 30 and 31 of the mattress extend horizontally in alinement with the mattresssections previously moved to this position, as hereinbefore described. In this last described operation, foldable legs 59 pivotally connected between their ends to the rails 33 of the mattress-section 31, as indicated at 60, and pivotally connected at their upper ends, as indicated at 6l, to links 62 pivotallyY connected at their vother ends as indicated at 63 to the rails 36, automatically swing outwardly to a position in which they rest at their lower ends upon the floor and thus form a support for the outer section of the mattress.

A foot-rail represented at 64 and pivotally connected at its outwardly-turned ends 65 with supports 66 carried by the rail 32 of the mattress-section 31, is then swung upwardly by the operator to the position illustrated in Fig. 1.

To fold the mattress-sections one upon the other into position for transforming the structure from a bed into a sofa, the operator grasps the outer section 31 of the mattress swinging it upwardly and rearwardly, and then downwardly, until it extends to substantially parallel relation to the 'mattress-section 29, at the conclusion of which operation the locking means for securing these two sections in folded condition and hereinbefore referred to, becomes automatically actuated to perform the locking function, the legs 59 in this operation automatically folding into substantial registration with the rails 33 of the mattress-section 31 (Fig. 2).. The operator by grasping the truss-bar 40 (Fig. 2), thereupon swings the folded mattress-sections 29, 30 and 31, upwardly and rearwardly, and then downwardly, until the sections 29 and 31 are moved into a position in which they superpose the mattress-section 27 and extend substantially parallel therewith, whereupon the operator actuates the locking means hereinbefore referred to, for releasably holding all of the mattress-sections in folded position. In this last referred to operation, the

legs 52 are automatically swung into foldf ed condition wherein they extend substantially parallel with the rails 29. The operator thereupon grasps the truss-bar 39 swinging it upwardly and rearwardly, which causes the levers 44 to swing rearwardly on their pivots 45 and carry the mattress-sections, in folded conditon, into the back part of the sofa-bed, tothe position shown in Fig. 4, in which position the locking means lirst referred to automatically lock the folded mattress-sectibns in the back part of the sofa, the operator in the last referred to operation preferably grasping the lower edge of the back" 26 and swinging it outwardly to clear the seat of the sofa-bed, the back 26 in the final movement of the folded parts to bed-forming condition becoming positioned to perform the back-forming purpose.

The sofa-bed is preferably provided at the rear thereof with a back-board 67 (Fig. 7), which is preferably mounted to be readily removed and replaced by providing inwardly-opening vertical channels 68 on the frame of the sofa-bed, the back 67 being adapted to be inserted at its ends into these channels and rest at its lower edge upon stops 69 at the lower ends of these channels. The channels 68 are preferably formed of metal integral with the scctions 17.

The locking mechanism hereinbefore referred to and operating to releasably hold the mattress-sections and the back 26 in foldedcondition (Fig. 4) are formed of latch-levers 70 pivotally connected, as indicated at 71, to offset-portions 72 of the plate-members 20, these levers extending forwardly. The extreme forward ends of the levers 70 are beveled, as indicated at 73, and in the rear of these beveled surfaces in the lower edges of these levers, are notches 74, coiled springs 75 connected at their lower ends with pins 76 secured to the members 20 and at their upper ends to the lever 70, tending to swing the forward ends of these levers downwardly. The levers 70 are connected forward of the pivots 71, through links 76 with the ends of levers 77. The levers 77 are pivotally connected intermediate their ends with the rail 15, as indicated at 78, and are pivotally connected together at their inner free ends by a pin 79, l

-the inclined surfaces 73 of the levers 70,

lifting the latter and moving into registration with the notches 74,' whereupon the levers are drawn, by the springs 75 into interlockingengagement with the pins 82. In the initial operation of shifting the mattress-sections to bed-forming condition, as hereinbefore described, the operator presses down on the nger-piece 80 which thuslifts the levers 70 out of engagement with the pins 82, permitting the mattress-sections to be swung out of the back of the sofa-bed, which operation is initially performed, as I prefer to construct the sofa-bed, by the action of the springs 48. The mechanism hereinbefore referred to for releasably locking all of the sections of the mattress in folded condition and which, as has been hereinbefore stated shouldbe released before the mattress-sections 28, 29, 30 and 31, are swung upwardly and forwardly from the lposition represented in Fig. 3 to cause the parts to assume bed-forming position, comprises a lever 82", pi'votally connected at an angle section thereof with the head-rest 83 rigidly secured to the rear side of the rail 32 of the mattress-section 27, this lever 82a being adapted to be swung into and out of engagement with the upper surface of the truss-bar 40, assuming the parts to be positioned as shown in Fig. 3, thus firmly interlocking the mattress-sections 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, in folded condition, the truss-bar 40 in this position resting upon lugs 84 pro-4 vided en the head-rest 83.

The locking means hereinbefore referred to for locking the mattress-section 31, in folded condition, to the mattress-section 29 and hereinbefore referred to comprises a pair of levers 85 pivotally connected at their upper ends, as indicated at 86, to the rails 33 of the mattress-section 31 adjacent to the pivotal connections 37 between the mattresssections 30 and 31, these levers being provided along one edgewith notches 87 and the'r extremities being inclined as represented at 88, the notches 87 being so disposed that when the mattress-section 31 is folded upon the mattresssection 29 to lie parallel therewith, these notches will oppose the horizontal portions of the brackets 55, secured to the undersides of the rails 35, adjacent to the pivotal connections of these rails with the rail 36. The levers 85 are connected together by a rod 90 which is connected with one end of the spring 91, the other end of which is connected with the wire fabric 38, as indicated at 92, the parts described being so arranged, as shown, as to cause the levers 85, under the action of the spring 91, to interlock at their notches 87 with the horizontal portions of the brackets 55 which they Oppose. Thus, before the opera-tor swingsv the mattress-section 31 from superposed position relative to the ina'ttress-section-29, in the final operation of extending the mattress-sections to form a bed, he will grasp the rod 90, drawing it forward against the resistance of the spring 91, thereby withdrawing the levers 85 from the interlocking position represented in Fig. 9. In the operation of folding the mattress-section 31 to superposed position on the mattress-section 29, as hereinbefore described, lin the initial operation of converting the sofa-bed from bed-forming to sofa-forming condition, the levers 88 under the action of the spring 91 automatically move into interlocking engagement with the horizontal portions of the bracket 55, thus locking these mattress-sections together.

To prevent the legs 52 from swinging away from the folded mattress-sections in the operation of swinging the folded mattress-sections from the position illustrated in Fig, 3 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, .I provide clips 93 (Fig. 7), containing elongated slots 94 and each provided at one end with an offset portion or shoulder 95, the clips 93 being confined on the rails 35, to have limited longitudinal movement thereon, by means of headed rivets 96, the members 93 being so positioned on the rails 35, as shown, as to cause their shouldered ends 95 to move by'gravity into a position in which they overlap the bar 53 in the operation of swinging the folded mattresssections from the osition illustrated in Fig. 3 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, these shouldered members, A as will be readily understood, automatically shifting by gravity to a position in'which they will not obstruct the movement of the legs 52 in moving to extended position, as hereinbefore described, in the unfolding of the mattresssections. y

It is customary in thedelivering of sofabeds to the homes of purchasers, that they be delivered in knock-down condition, and the feature of forming the devices for securing the top rail 15 to the endmembers is especially desirable in this connection inasmuch as the plate-members 17 and the plate-members 20 may be secured, respectively, to the end members 11 and the ends of the rail 15 in the factory, and all that is required to be done to assemble these parts is'toapply the parts to position andV secure them in such position by the winged nuts 23.

veo

The springs 48 are provided for the purpose of aiding the operator in swinging the mattress-sections to horizontal position and to offer a resistance to the swinging of the mattress-sections to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, it bein preferred that the tension of these springs e so adjusted by means of the Cotter-pin and chain arrangement hereinbefore described, that when the beddin is in place within the confines of the folded mattress-sections, it will require the exertion of but comparatively slight pull to swing the mattress-sections to the position illustrated in Fig. 1, and the exertion of comparatively little pressure to swing these mattress-sections to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, though it is desirable, as hereinbefore explained, these springs be so tensioned that when the operator releases the locking levers 70, the folded mattress-sections and the back 26 will automatically swing upwardly and outwardly from the back, a slight distance.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to'be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a sofa-bed, the combination with its frame and foldable mattress-sections adapted to be swung into the back portion of the bed, of a plate secured to the inner side of the end of the frame, an angle-shaped plate secured at its upper end to the top rail of the frame and tting flatwise against the rst referred to plate, means for securing these plates together, and locking means for locking themattress-sections in position in the back sections of the sofa-bed, i'ncludin a latch-lever pivotally supported on sai second-named plate.

2. In a sofa-bed, the combinationwith a frame, of a pivotally-supported mattress formed of sections pivotally connected together, a supporting member for supporting p the mattress sections at certain points when said sections are extended, pivotally connected with the mattress and foldable into substantially parallel relation therewith, and .a slidably supported gravity-operated lockingidevice adapted when the mattress-sections are swun from substantially horizontal folded con ition, into the back ortion of the sofa-bed, to interlock with sald supporting member to hold it in folded condition and to automatically move to non-interlocked position in the unfolding of the mattress-sections.

3. In a sofa-bed, the ycombination of a frame, a plurality of mattresssections adapted to be folded together, levers pivoted on said frame and supporting said mattresslsections when the latter are swun sections, said sections, inthe sofa-forming position, being disposed in the back portion of the sofa-bed, springs operatively connected with said levers for counterbalancing the movable, parts of the sofa-bed, members, having openings therein at intervals, connected with said springs and extending through openings in said frame, and pins adapted to enter any of said openings and interlock with said frame to `vary the tension of said springs.

4. In a sofa-bed, the combination of a pivotally-supported mattress, formed of ve pivotally connected mattress sections, 'the pivotal support for said mattress-sections being at one of the end-sections thereof, a head-board on said last-referred-to section, said sections folding upon each other in succession from the outermost end-section, and a single means on said head-board for releasablyA securing all of said mattress-sections together in folded condition.

5. In a sofa-bed, the combination of a pivotally-supported mattress formed of five pivotallyconnected mattresssections, the pivotal support for said mattress-sections being at one of the end-sections thereof, said sections folding upon eachother in succession from .the outermost end-section, and a single means for releasably securing all of said mattress-sections together in folded condition, involving coperating members, one of which is carried by the innermost end mattress-section and the other one of which is carried by the intermediate mattress-section next to the outermost end mattress-section. f

6. In a sofa-bed, the combination of a pivotally-supported mattress formed of ve pivotally connected mattress sections, the

ivotal support for said mattress-sections 4iieing at one of the end-sections thereof, said l sections folding upon each other in succession from the outermost end-section, a trussbar connected with the ntermedlate mattrees-'section adjacent to the outer vend mattress-section, and a. member carried by the inner end mattress-section and adapted to releasablyinterlock with said truss-bar to prevent movement of the latter in a direction for unfoldin the mattress-sections.

7. In a sofa-bed, t e combination with the frame thereof and mattress-sections adapted 'A to be folded and supported to be moved into and out of the back portion of the sofabed, shouldered levers fulcrumed on said frame and positioned to automatically interlock with parts carried by said mattresslinto the back portion of the sofa-bed,spr1ngs tending to hold said levers in interlocking position, levers extending lengthwise of sald sofa-bed and pivotally `supported between their ends on said frame and flexibly connected at their outer ends te said first-named Si ros levers, means operatively connected with one of said second-named levers for operatlng 1t -to actuate one of said rst-named levers, and Ameans adJacent the inner ends of said levers for operating the other of said secondnamed levers from the first-referred-to one thereof.

8. In a sofa-bed, the combination with the frame thereof and mattress-sections adapted to be folded and supported to be moved into and out of the back portion of the sofa-bed, shouldered levers fulcrumed on said frame to move through a substantially vertical plane, and positioned to automatically interlock with parts carried by said mattress-sec,- tions when the latter are swung into the back portion of the sofa-bed, springs tending to hold said-levers in interlocking position, levers extending lengthwise of said sofa-bed and pivotally supported on said frame to swing in a substantially vertical plane at angles to the plane in which .said first-named levers swing, the. outer endsof said second-named levers operatively engaging said first-named levers for swinging the latter against said springs, and means connecting said second-named levers together' for simultaneous operation.

9. In a sofa-bed, the combination with thc frame thereof and mattress-sections adapted to be folded and supported to be moved into and out of the back portion of the sofabed, shouldered levers fulcrumed on said frame to move through a substantially vertical plane, and positioned to automatically interlock with parts carried by said mattress-sections when the latter yare swung into the back portion of the sofa-bed, springs tending to hold said levers in interlocking position, levers extending lengthwise of said sofa-bed and pivotally supported between their ends on said frame, links connecting the outer ends of said last-named levers withI said first-named levers, and means for simultaneously operating sa1d last-named levers.

WILLIAMv J KELLY. In presence of J. A. KELLY, P. H. KELLY. 

